A Japanese journalist approached Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos on Tuesday and asked what he was looking for in terms of new starting pitchers.

"More," said the Jays' fourth-year GM. "And guys that are good."

Anthopoulos got a good laugh with that rather flippant response, but it's no secret that the GM's priority this off-season is to acquire at least one new quality starting pitcher - and preferably two. But it's also becoming clearer by the day that Anthopoulos is banking on Brandon Morrow to rebound in a big way in 2014.

Yes, the Jays have two dependable workhorses in the rotation in Mark Buehrle and R.A. Dickey, and are hoping to sign or trade for a couple more this off-season. But for the Jays to make some noise in the AL East in 2014, Morrow will have to round back into the form he showed between 2010 and 2012 when he won 31 games. Last season, Morrow was penned in as the club's No. 2 starter behind Dickey, but because of forearm problems, he was able to pitch only 54 1/3 innings and won only two games in 10 starts.

But Anthopoulos is confident that Morrow will stay relatively healthy in 2014 and help the Jays get back on track after a deeply disappointing 2013 campaign. The feeling is, even if Anthopoulos can trade for a quality starter or two, or sign a free agent like Ubaldo Jimenez, Matt Garza, Scott Kazmir or Bronson Arroyo, the Jays need a healthy Morrow back in the rotation to contend. They're certainly aren't giving up on him.

"He threw a bullpen (Tuesday), he felt very good, no issues at all, so obviously it's a great step for him," said Anthopoulos. "Right now, everything's pointing in the right direction, but he still has a lot of other steps to go through, but so far it's gone really well for him. We didn't go into the (2013) season expecting Brandon Morrow to have two wins for us. We all know he's capable of a lot more than that. He had 10 in 120 innings the year prior and it looked like he was his way to the all-star game."

Anthopoulos confirmed on Monday that he'll be able to spend more than last year's payroll of $119 million (reports had the Jays' budget at $150 million for 2014, though the GM wouldn't confirm a number), which means that he'll have flexibility in terms of improving the rotation, and perhaps can add depth at second and catcher. But though Anthopoulos is confident that he'll be able to swing some deals or splash out on a free agent or two, he said the organization will likely not stray from its policy of five-year limits on contracts, which can sometimes throw a roadblock in the Jays' pursuit of big-name free agents.

"But we feel good about (that)," said Anthopoulos. "That's where our policy sits today, though I don't think we'll ever rule anything out in the right context, right circumstances. If you're prepared to pay someone at five years at X, and a sixth year comes out (with) almost the same total dollars, sure you can (justify) that. But for the most part, it's the basic framework. It's just being adverse to incredibly long-term deals, like we're seeing with some of these seven- and eight-year deals."

Anthopoulos described this year's free agent starting pitching class as "solid" though he wouldn't tip his hand at whom specifically he might be after, saying that discussions with agents and other teams are still largely in the preliminary stages.

"I think until some of them (free agents) start signing, then we'll have a sense where the market's going and if there's value there and if there isn't," he said.

Poor starting pitching and injuries (Jose Reyes, Brett Lawrie, Jose Bautista) were major factors in Toronto being one of the most disappointing teams in baseball last season, but Anthopoulos still believes that the Jays have a solid enough foundation of talent where, if they add a starter or two, they can contend.

"I really do," he said. "You're not going to win too many games ranking 29 out of 30 in starters' ERA. Offensively I think you can look around the diamond and see some pretty exciting players, guys we have under control for a while. And the bullpen's certainly a strength. It comes down to the rotation."

Anthopoulos addressed a number of other topics on Tuesday, including:

Finding a way to remain healthy

The Jays were one of the most injury-plagued teams in baseball last season.

"We've talked a lot internally about health and how we stay more healthy," he said. "If you look from 2009 through 2011, our DL days actually went down every single year and all of a sudden in 2012 they skyrocketed."

Retirement

Anthopoulos announced that utility player Mark DeRosa has decided to retire. DeRosa, 38, played one season with the Jays but provided stability and leadership in the clubhouse for the struggling Jays all season.

"He knows he can still play and we certainly know he can still play, but family considerations were important for him," said Anthopoulos. "He was only here a year, but he had a tremendous impact on some of the players." The rumour is the 16-year Major Leaguer may became a broadcaster with the Chicago Cubs.

POSITION BREAKDOWN

Anthopoulos reiterated that he will try to upgrade at catcher and second base via trade or free agency, but may bring in a full-time catching coach to help J.P. Arencibia, if necessary, and possibly platoon Ryan Goins and Maicer Izturis.

"Ryan's definitely not going to be given anything, he's going to come in and compete. Maicer the same way, I think ideally he would serve the super-utility role and play all over the place," said Anthopoulos.

ROMERO REPORT

The Jays are going to let Ricky Romero try to figure out how to get back to the form that saw him win 15 games and go the all-star game in 2011.

"I think it's up to him," said Anthopoulos. "He knows what's best for him. If we knew what the solution was, we would have had it addressed. He's flashed it. We all saw it, even in the minor leagues last year. He'd have starts where he was dominant and other starts he would get hit. But we know his work ethic and stuff is still there. I think at any time it can click again. But he knows what he needs to do and what can get him back on track."

Blue Jays expect Brandon Morrow to rebound in 2014

A Japanese journalist approached Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos on Tuesday and asked what he was looking for in terms of new starting pitchers.

"More," said the Jays' fourth-year GM. "And guys that are good."

Anthopoulos got a good laugh with that rather flippant response, but it's no secret that the GM's priority this off-season is to acquire at least one new quality starting pitcher - and preferably two. But it's also becoming clearer by the day that Anthopoulos is banking on Brandon Morrow to rebound in a big way in 2014.

Yes, the Jays have two dependable workhorses in the rotation in Mark Buehrle and R.A. Dickey, and are hoping to sign or trade for a couple more this off-season. But for the Jays to make some noise in the AL East in 2014, Morrow will have to round back into the form he showed between 2010 and 2012 when he won 31 games.

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